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Australian Rules Football

INS AND OUTS: Every club’s list changes ahead of 2024

December 22, 2023 by Tara S

By Sarah Black | AFL

Check out every club’s list changes after the AFLW trade and draft periods

IT’S HARD to believe Brisbane won the flag less than three weeks ago, but we’ve had a full AFLW Trade Period and Draft since then.

Some club lists – like West Coast and the Western Bulldogs – are nearly unrecognisable after significant turnover, while others have merely tinkered around the edges during the combined player movement period.

It’s useful to look at both the trade and draft periods as one – a club may not be able to replace a departed key forward through trade, but bring in a young goalkicker through the draft.

Top five draft selections Brooke Barwick, Kaitlyn Srhoj, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, Jessica Rentsch and Alyssia Pisano after the 2023 AFLW Draft at Marvel Stadium . Picture: Getty Images

Geelong, Greater Western Sydney, Melbourne and North Melbourne will have the opportunity to complete their lists in the Supplemental Selection Period and Rookie Signing Period, which run from February 5 to March 1.

All four sides have been active in recruiting Irish players in the past, and it wouldn’t surprise if they go down that path early in the new year.

Ins: Brooke Boileau, Tamara Henry, Lily Tarlinton (draft) 

Outs: Montana McKinnon (Richmond), Yvonne Bonner, Lisa Whiteley (retired), Hannah Button, McKenzie Dowrick, Amber Ward (delisted)

2024 list: Jess Allan, Sarah Allan, Najwa Allen, Abbie Ballard, Chelsea Biddell, Brooke Boileau, Amy Boyle-Carr, Teah Charlton, Sarah Goodwin, Caitlin Gould, Anne Hatchard, Tamara Henry, Eloise Jones, Niamh Kelly, Keeley Kustermann, Taylah Levy, Ebony Marinoff, Rachelle Martin, Kiera Mueller, Hannah Munyard, Maddi Newman, Danielle Ponter, Zoe Prowse, Chelsea Randall, Brooke Smith, Lily Tarlinton, Stevie-Lee Thompson, Brooke Tonon, Deni Varnhagen, Jess Waterhouse

Adelaide has done well to hold onto the majority of its list, despite the best efforts of opposition clubs. Marinoff, Hatchard, Sarah Allan and Kelly have signed four-year deals, and even coach Matthew Clarke has extended his contract by another two seasons. Of this year’s best 21, only ruck McKinnon and forward Bonner have left, with 21-year-old Tarlinton an important draftee given her height of 180cm and experience in the QAFLW. Irish recruit Boyle-Carr, a Gaelic footballer and soccer player, will provide plenty of speed across any line.

Lily Tarlinton in action during the AFLW U19 Girls Championships match between Vic Country and Queensland at Port Melbourne FC on May 23, 2021. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Shanae Davison, Eleanor Hartill (West Coast), Evie Long, Sophie Peters, Indiana Williams, Rania Crozier, Jacinta Baldwick (draft), Kate Lutkins (inactive, pregnancy), Luka Yoshida-Martin (inactive, ACL)

Outs: Zimmie Farquharson, Analea McKee (Western Bulldogs), Kiara Hillier (Sydney), Courtney Murphy, Mikayla Pauga (Greater Western Sydney), Bella Smith (Geelong), Ella Smith (Gold Coast), Phoebe Monahan, Sharni Webb (retired), Brooke Sheridan, Caitlin Wendland (delisted)

2024 list: Ally Anderson, Jacinta Baldwick, Poppy Boltz, Shannon Campbell, Sophie Conway, Rania Crozier, Dakota Davidson, Shanae Davison, Belle Dawes, Jen Dunne, Jade Ellenger, Nat Grider, Ellie Hampson, Eleanor Hartill, Dee Heslop, Tahlia Hickie, Courtney Hodder, Bre Koenen, Evie Long, Kate Lutkins, Charlie Mullins, Orla O’Dwyer, Sophie Peters, Lily Postlethwaite, Jade Pregelj, Taylor Smith, Cathy Svarc, Ruby Svarc, Indiana Williams, Luka Yoshida-Martin

It was the busiest “quiet” trade period we’ve ever seen for Brisbane. Even so, the Lions will only have two positions on offer in their best 21 next year, assuming all remaining 19 premiership players hold their spots, after Pauga and Monahan moved on. Davison will slot in nicely to the forward line, while Hartill provides some rare height in defence and ruck depth. The Lions have effectively replaced all their departed depth with five Academy recruits – forward/mids Long, Peters and Baldwick, and two key talls in Williams and Crozier. Hodder has signed a four-year deal, with Mullins and Smith locked away for three, while coach Craig Starcevich has extended his contract by two.

Ins: Tarni Brown (Collingwood), Yasmin Duursma (Port Adelaide), Celine Moody (Western Bulldogs), Lila Keck, Meg Robertson (draft), Lulu Beatty (inactive, leg), Maddy Guerin (inactice, ACL)

Outs: Mua Laloifi (Western Bulldogs), Annie Lee (Collingwood), Paige Trudgeon (St Kilda), Phoebe McWilliams (retired), Daisy Walker (delisted, then Greater Western Sydney), Imogen Milford, Chloe Wrigley (delisted)

2024 list: Marianna Anthony, Mia Austin, Lulu Beatty, Tarni Brown, Harriet Cordner, Jess Dal Pos, Yasmin Duursma, Dayna Finn, Ciara Fitzpatrick, Erone Fitzpatrick, Jess Good, Lily Goss, Maddy Guerin, Maddy Hendrie, Mimi Hill, Lila Keck, Gen Lawson-Tavan, Abbie McKay, Breann Moody, Celine Moody, Taylor Ortlepp, Kerryn Peterson, Gab Pound, Tahlia Read, Meg Robertson, Keeley Sherar, Keeley Skepper, Amelia Velardo, Darcy Vescio, Brooke Vickers

Celine Moody will complete a straight swap with the retiring McWilliams in attack. There are a few concerns around the normally rock-steady backline after the puzzling decision not to extend Laloifi‘s contract, back-up defenders Trudgeon and Lee seeking opportunities elsewhere and the delisting of small defender Walker. None of the inclusions fill those roles. Duursma‘s pace on the wing will be a boost, as is Keck‘s across half-forward. Sherar and Skepper have signed for four years, with McKay and Pound for three.

Lila Keck is presented her jumper by Kerryn Peterson during the AFLW Draft on December 18, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Kalinda Howarth (Gold Coast), Mikayla Hyde (Fremantle), Annie Lee (Carlton), Muireen Atkinson (rookie), Georgia Clark, Lucy Cronin, Amber Schutte (draft)

Outs: Ash Brazill (Fremantle), Tarni Brown (Carlton), Liv Barber, Sophie Casey, Imogen Evans, Jo Lin, Emily Smith (delisted)

2024 list: Jordyn Allen, Muireen Atkinson, Imogen Barnett, Charlotte Blair, Brit Bonnici, Lauren Brazzale, Lauren Butler, Grace Campbell, Mikala Cann, Georgia Clark, Lucy Cronin, Bri Davey, Erica Fowler, Sabrina Frederick, Kalinda Howarth, Mikayla Hyde, Eliza James, Selena Karlson, Annie Lee, Stacey Livingstone, Eleri Morris, Nell Morris-Dalton, Alana Porter, Sarah Rowe, Sarah Sansonetti, Ruby Schleicher, Amber Schutte, Aishling Sheridan, Charlotte Taylor, Tarni White

The Pies have significantly boosted their defence, losing versatile tall Brazill (who wished to move back to Perth with her family) and stalwart Casey but bringing in Lee, Cronin and rebounder Schutte. Howarth adds some dynamism to a forward line that’s still a work in process, and it remains to be seen just where the Irish Atkinson fits into the mix. Hyde will be hoping for some midfield time at the Pies. Butler, Cann, James, Rowe and White all signed three-year deals, but skipper Davey has only signed for one.

Ins: Maddi Gay (Essendon), Bess Keaney (Gold Coast), Amy Gaylor (expansion pre-signing), Emily Gough, Chloe Adams (draft), Cat Phillips (inactive, pregnancy)

Outs: Danielle Marshall, Jess Wuetschner (retired), Alana Barba, Leah Cutting, Jo Doonan, Renee Tierney (delisted)

2024 list: Chloe Adams, Sophie Alexander, Daria Bannister, Brooke Brown, Mia Busch, Steph Cain, Georgia Clarke, Amber Clarke, Matilda Dyke, Ellyse Gamble, Maddi Gay, Amy Gaylor, Georgia Gee, Emily Gough, Kodi Jacques, Bess Keaney, Alex Morcom, Georgia Nanscawen, Cat Phillips, Maddy Prespakis, Amelia Radford, Paige Scott, Bonnie Toogood, Sophie Van De Heuval, Mia Van Dyke, Ash Van Loon, Jacqui Vogt, Steph Wales, Brooke Walker, Lily-Rose Williamson

The Bombers have brought in some serious midfield and defensive depth, with Gay able to line up on either line (or even forward), Gaylor and Adams through the engine room, and Keaney at half-back. Gough is another versatile product, who at 179cm, is unlike any player currently on Essendon’s list. Of the players who have moved on, only Wuetschner was a regular member of the best 21 this year. 

Emily Gough completes the 2km time trial during the 2023 Victoria AFL State Combine at Margaret Court Arena on October 8, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Ash Brazill (Collingwood), Aisling McCarthy (West Coast), Gabby Newton (Western Bulldogs), Holly Ifould (draft), Mikayla Morrison (inactive, ACL)

Outs: Mikayla Hyde (Fremantle), Roxy Roux (West Coast), Emmelie Fiedler, Nikki Nield, Sarah Wielstra (delisted) 

2024 list: Ebony Antonio, Ash Brazill, Kiara Bowers, Jo Cregg, Dana East, Jae Flynn, Serena Gibbs, Ariana Hetheringon, Holly Ifould, Megan Kauffman, Orlagh Lally, Aisling McCarthy, Hayley Miller, Mikayla Morrison, Tahleah Mulder, Amy Mulholland, Gabby Newton, Emma O’Driscoll, Gabby O’Sullivan, Laura Pugh, Airlie Runnalls, Madi Scanlon, Philipa Seth, Angelique Stannett, Tara Stribley, Mim Strom, Aine Tighe, Makaela Tuhakaraina, Sarah Verrier

The Dockers hit the trade period hard, consequently having one live selection with pick No.49 in the draft (Runnalls was delisted and re-drafted). Brazill and Newton will provide some serious firepower to a forward line that was often a one-woman show, starring Tighe. The former can also swing into defence where required, while McCarthy‘s defensive pressure will add another layer to Fremantle’s engine room. The outgoing Hyde and Roux played six and five games respectively this year, primarily up forward, which the inclusions should cover.

Airlie Runnalls in action during the match between Melbourne and Fremantle at Casey Fields in round nine, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Bella Smith (Brisbane), Chantal Mason, Bryde O’Rourke (draft)

Outs: Annabel Johnson (West Coast), Renee Garing (retired), Sam Gooden*, Ingrid Houtsma, Mia Skinner (delisted)
*Geelong had an extra player on its list in 2023 while Gooden returned from pregnancy

2024 list: Mikayla Bowen, Mel Bragg, Julia Crockett-Grills, Kate Darby, Chantel Emonson, Gabbi Featherston, Zali Friswell, Liv Fuller, Claudia Gunjaca, Erin Hoare, Rachel Kearns, Anna Rose Kennedy, Chantal Mason, Abbey McDonald, Amy McDonald, Meghan McDonald, Aishling Moloney, Darcy Moloney, Nina Morrison, Bryde O’Rourke, Jacqui Parry, Brooke Plummer, Georgie Prespakis, Georgie Rankin, Chloe Scheer, Shelley Scott, Bella Smith, Kate Surman, Becky Webster, one spot left to fill

There’ll be at least one change from the side that played in a preliminary final after the retirement of Garing, and the Cats are hoping for much more footy from Kennedy, who was injured for much of 2023. Geelong is unlikely to rush their three inclusions, and with decent internal improvement, arguably don’t have to push the new Cats into the side from round one. Mason is a developing key forward, O’Rourke is an athletic but raw midfielder and Smith provides good depth to a strong centre line. Morrison, Prespakis and Webster have signed for four years, with Scheer, Parry and Bowen adding three years.

Chantal Mason in action during the Coates Talent League Girls preliminary final between Eastern Ranges and Geelong Falcons at Shepley Oval on September 16, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Katie Lynch (Western Bulldogs), Charlotte Wilson (Melbourne), Ella Smith (Brisbane), Keely Fullerton, Taya Oliver, Kiara Bischa, Sienna McMullen, Annabel Kievit (draft)

Outs: Lauren Ahrens, Jasmyn Smith (Western Bulldogs), Giselle Davies (Sydney), Ali Drennan (West Coast), Kalinda Howarth (Collingwood), Bess Keaney (Essendon), Claire Ransom (delisted, then Greater Western Sydney), Gabrielle Biedenweg-Webster, Kaylee Kimber, Tahlia Meyer (delisted)

2024 list: Elise Barwick, Lauren Bella, Kiara Bischa, Tara Bohanna, Maddy Brancatisano, Ashanti Bush, Georgia Clayden, Daisy D’Arcy, Darcie Davies, Jac Dupuy, Clara Fitzpatrick, Keely Fullerton, Alana Gee, Meara Girvan, Annabel Kievit, Katie Lynch, Ella Maurer, Cara McCrossan, Niamh McLaughlin, Sienna McMullen, Jordan Membrey, Taya Oliver, Wallis Randell, Charlie Rowbottom, Vivien Saad, Lucy Single, Ella Smith, Jamie Stanton, Claudia Whitfort, Charlotte Wilson

The Suns had an incredibly busy trade period, with significant turnover. Lynch and Ahrens have completed a straight swap, while there’s roles at half-back and in the midfield up for grabs after the departures of Keaney and Drennan. Of the draftees, Fullerton or Oliver could take that midfield spot, with Bischa in defence. There’s no getting around the loss of experience over the trade period, but a number of players were keen to return to their home state or move elsewhere for non-football reasons. Howarth‘s talent is a loss, but she only played one game in 2023 before rupturing her ACL. Two players who had been inactive (Kimber and Ransom) were delisted, hence the imbalance in the ins and outs.

Ins: Mikayla Pauga, Courtney Murphy (Brisbane), Aliesha Newman (Sydney), Daisy Walker (Carlton), Claire Ransom (Gold Coast), Kaitlyn Srhoj, Indigo Linde (draft)

Outs: Jodie Hicks, Ally Dallaway (Richmond), Rene Caris (St Kilda), Annalyse Lister (retired), Tess Cattle, Teagan Germech, Zara Hamilton, Grace Hill, Tait Mackrill, Isadora McLeay (delisted)

2024 list: Nicola Barr, Bec Beeson, Annise Bradfield, Madi Brazendale, Chloe Dalton, Fleur Davies, Jess Doyle, Alicia Eva, Tarni Evans, Meghan Gaffney, Georgia Garnett, Zarlie Goldsworthy, Jasmine Grierson, Isabel Huntington, Indigo Linde, Cambridge McCormick, Caitlin Miller, Brodee Mowbray, Courtney Murphy, Aliesha Newman, Alyce Parker, Mikayla Pauga, Emily Pease, Pepa Randall, Claire Ransom, Katherine Smith, Kaitlyn Srhoj, Daisy Walker, Haneen Zreika, one list spot to fill

Hicks, Dallaway, Caris and Lister were all regular members of the Giants’ 21 this year. Walker is one who could take Hicks’ spot, top draftee Srhoj in Dallaway’s role, with the untried Brisbane rookie Murphy in Lister’s key defensive position. Pauga and Newman are talented enough to force their way into the line-up, with Ransom also more than capable if she’s ready to play, sitting out 2023 for personal reasons. Ruck support for Davies remains an issue after Caris‘ departure, but the Giants still have one list spot to fill. GWS had to reduce its 2023 list by two due to injury replacement players. Goldsworthy, Evans and Garnett have signed four-year deals, with Parker opting to turn her back on rival interest and sign for two. Eva – who has stood down as captain – signed a one-year deal.

Alyce Parker celebrates a goal during round three, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Casey Sherriff, Eliza West (Melbourne), Laura Stone, Jess Vukic, Hayley McLaughlin (expansion pre-signings), Mikayla Williamson, Sophie Butterworth (draft)

Outs: Catherine Brown, Tegan Cunningham, Tamara Luke, Akec Makur Chuot (retired), Janet Baird, Zoe Barbakos, Sarah Perkins (delisted)

2024 list: Kaitlyn Ashmore, Charlotte Baskaran, Emily Bates, Greta Bodey, Mattea Breed, Sophie Butterworth, Bridget Deed, Casey Dumont, Mackenzie Eardley, Laura Elliott, Emily Everist, Tahlia Fellows, Jasmine Fleming, Aileen Gilroy, Bridie Hipwell, Ainslie Kemp, Sophie Locke, Tilly Lucas-Rodd, Aine McDonagh, Hayley McLaughlin, Jenna Richardson, Casey Sherriff, Tamara Smith, Louise Stephenson, Laura Stone, Kristy Stratton, Jess Vukic, Lucy Wales, Eliza West, Mikayla Williamson

It was a highly successful player movement period for Hawthorn, lucking out in the talent on offer this year through the aligned Eastern Ranges side, and benefiting from Williamson sliding somewhat in the draft. Butterworth was a canny pick-up, considering the tall timber who have retired. West immediately adds some grunt and Williamson outside speed to the midfield, Stone can slot in at half-back with ease, while Sherriff is a smart high half-forward, providing a clear and calm link into attack. While the squad has become much younger this off-season, the talent potential is enormous for any prospective coach keen on applying for the vacant role.

Ins: Lily Johnson (Port Adelaide), Alyssia Pisano, Ryleigh Wotherspoon, Jacinta Hose, Jemma Rigoni, Delany Madigan (draft), Grace Hill (Greater Western Sydney, injury replacement)

Outs: Libby Birch (North Melbourne), Maddi Gay (Essendon), Casey Sherriff, Eliza West (Hawthorn), Charlotte Wilson (Gold Coast), Georgie Fowler (retired), Jordi Ivey, Sammie Johnson* (delisted)
*Melbourne had an extra player on its list in 2023 while Johnson returned from pregnancy

2024 list: Alyssa Bannan, Georgia Campbell, Maeve Chaplin, Gabby Colvin, Megan Fitzsimon, Georgia Gall, Tahlia Gillard, Sinead Goldrick, Tyla Hanks, Tayla Harris, Shelley Heath, Grace Hill, Kate Hore, Jacinta Hose*, Lily Johnson, Sarah Lampard, Aimee Mackin, Blaithin Mackin, Delany Madigan, Eliza McNamara, Lily Mithen, Karen Paxman, Lauren Pearce, Alyssia Pisano, Liv Purcell, Jemma Rigoni, Saraid Taylor, Rhi Watt, Ryleigh Wotherspoon, Eden Zanker, one list spot to fill
*inactive

Melbourne may take a short-term hit to its tall defensive stocks, losing both Birch and Wilson, as well as Gay across half-back, but injury replacement player Hill provides a bit of depth. West had been squeezed out of the midfield late in the year, while the loss of Sherriff will hurt across half-forward. The Dees may have taken one step backwards in order to go two steps forward, hitting the draft hard for the first time since 2020. Pisano could play straight away in the forward line, the Demons pushed hard to lock away raw but exciting half-back flanker Wotherspoon, and father-daughter pick up Rigoni will provide plenty of pace on the wing or flanks. Hose will sit out the year with a torn ACL.

Alyssia Pisano is presented her jumper by Kate Hore during the AFLW Draft on December 18, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Libby Birch (Melbourne), Ella Slocombe, Georgia Stubs (draft), Zoe Savarirayan (inactive, ACL), Vikki Wall (TBC, inactive, rugby)

Outs: Ellie Gavalas (Western Bulldogs), Ailish Considine (retired), Hannah Bowey, Charli Granville, Cassidy Mailer, Sophia McCarthy (delisted)

2024 list: Libby Birch, Nicole Bresnehan, Jenna Bruton, Lucy Burke, Tess Craven, Bella Eddey, Jasmine Ferguson, Jasmine Garner, Taylah Gatt, Emma Kearney, Mia King, Emma King, Niamh Martin, Liz McGrath, Alice O’Loughlin, Erika O’Shea, Lulu Pullar, Tahlia Randall, Kim Rennie, Ash Riddell, Zoe Savarirayan, Eliza Shannon, Kate Shierlaw, Ella Slocombe, Amy Smith, Georgia Stubs, Ruby Tripodi, Vikki Wall (TBC), Sarah Wright, one list spot to fill

The Roos made just one move in the trade period, bringing in experienced key defender Birch. It’s difficult to work out just where Birch fits into the settled backline, and there’s going to be a very unlucky player who is pushed out, unless they’re redeployed forward. Gavalas is a loss, but she had conceded her spot to Martin by the end of the season. Slocombe and Stubs will have time to develop; both are quick players who provide plenty of run-and-carry. Burke was delisted and re-drafted.

The Power had a list of 33 in 2023 as part of an assistance package for expansion clubs (32 and an inactive player), reducing to 30 for the 2024 season

Ins: Kirsty Lamb (Western Bulldogs), Molly Brooksby, Shineah Goody, Lauren Young (expansion pre-signings), Piper Window, Alissa Brook (draft)

Outs: Yasmin Duursma (Carlton), Lily Johnson (Melbourne), Erin Phillips (retired), Laquoiya Cockatoo-Motlap, Litonya Cockatoo-Motlap, Jade De Melo, Jade Halfpenny, Maggie MacLachlan, Jacqui Yorston (delisted)

2024 list: Alex Ballard, Ella Boag, Amelie Borg, Alissa Brook, Molly Brooksby, Janelle Cuthbertson, Abbey Dowrick, Hannah Dunn, Hannah Ewings, Angela Foley, Shineah Goody, Cheyenne Hammond, Gemma Houghton, Georgie Jaques, Maddy Keryk, Kirsty Lamb, Olivia Levicki, Maria Moloney, Justine Mules, Ebony O’Dea, Katelyn Pope, Matilda Scholz, Jasmine Simmons, Jasmin Stewart, Sachi Syme, Indy Tahau, Julia Teakle, Ash Saint, Piper Window, Lauren Young

Port Adelaide hit the jackpot this year, with two of the top draft prospects in the country in Goody and Young eligible for pre-selection through its academy. Lamb will have an instant impact in the middle of the field, working in tandem with best-and-fairest Dowrick, who’s signed a three-year deal. Goody will provide some class on the outside, Window can rotate inside, while Young should slot straight into Phillips‘ spot as a forward-midfielder. It’s a very young list, but one that should have teams on their toes over the next few years.

Shineah Goody, Lauren Young and Molly Brooksby during the 2023 AFLW Draft at Marvel Stadium on December 18, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Ally Dallaway, Jodie Hicks (Greater Western Sydney), Montana McKinnon (Adelaide), Isabel Bacon, Mackenzie Ford (draft), Tessa Lavey (inactive, toe)

Outs: Meagan Kiely (retired), Jess Hosking (delisted, then West Coast), Sarah D’Arcy, Meg Macdonald, Lilly Pearce, Steph Williams (delisted)

2024 list: Isabel Bacon, Katie Brennan, Monique Conti, Katelyn Cox, Ally Dallaway, Kate Dempsey, Molly Eastman, Grace Egan, Mackenzie Ford, Libby Graham, Caitlin Greiser, Jodie Hicks, Sarah Hosking, Courtney Jones, Poppy Kelly, Shelby Knoll*, Tessa Lavey, Beth Lynch, Laura McClelland, Ellie McKenzie, Montana McKinnon, Bec Miller, Amelia Peck, Stella Reid, Charley Ryan, Gabby Seymour, Eilish Sheerin, Maddie Shevlin, Charli Wicksteed, Jemima Woods, Emelia Yassir
*inactive

It’ll be interesting to see how Richmond juggles its talls in 2024, bringing ruck McKinnon into the side. They like the ground-level work of Seymour, so there’s a potential for Kelly to be pushed into a permanent forward role. Hicks is a steadier head in defence than Jess Hosking (who arguably has the edge in tackle pressure), while Lavey‘s work on the wing has almost been forgotten after a year on the sidelines. Bacon and Ford may not be needed straight away, given the older Dallaway has also been added to the midfield mix.

Richmond’s Tessa Lavey celebrates a goal during round two, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Rene Caris (Greater Western Sydney), Paige Trudgeon (Carlton), Kiera Whiley, Charlotte Simpson (draft)

Outs: Rosie Dillon, Deanna Jolliffe, Erin McKinnon, Renee Saulitis, Jayde Van Dyk (delisted)

2024 list: J’Noemi Anderson, Maddy Boyd, Alice Burke, Rene Caris, Steph Chiocci, Nat Exon, Ella Friend, Darcy Guttridge, Bianca Jakobsson, Grace Kelly, Jaimee Lambert, Caitlin Matthews, Molly McDonald, Simone Nalder, Rebecca Ott, Georgia Patrikios, Beth Pinchin, Nat Plane, Hannah Priest, Ash Richards, Tyanna Smith, Charlotte Simpson, Nicola Stevens, Hannah Stuart, Paige Trudgeon, Liv Vesely, Jesse Wardlaw, Serene Watson, Kiera Whiley, Nicola Xenos

The Saints have made a straight ruck swap, bringing in Caris for McKinnon. Trudgeon instantly boosts the backline, as will the returning Ott, who missed the year with an Achilles issue. The pair will be in competition with Pinchin and Boyd for spots, the latter also capable of playing forward. Dillon didn’t play much in 2023, but Simpson is a tenacious ball-winner in a similar model, with a longer kick. The midfield is arguably the Saints’ strongest line already, but they should be able to squeeze in the classy Whiley, who’s a neat, well-rounded player. A host of players – including Lambert, Patrikios, Smith and Vesely – have signed for four years.

The Swans had a list of 34 in 2023 as part of an assistance package for expansion clubs (33 and an inactive player), reducing to 32 for the 2024 season

Ins: Giselle Davies (Gold Coast), Kiara Hillier (Brisbane), Holly Cooper (expansion pre-signing), Sarah Grunden, Lara Hausegger (draft), Hayley Bullas (inactive, ACL)

Outs: Aliesha Newman (Greater Western Sydney), Jaide Anthony, Kiara Beesley, Sarah Ford, Jenny Higgins, Bridie Kennedy, Kate Reynolds (delisted)

2024 list: Montana Beruldsen, Hayley Bullas, Maddy Collier, Holly Cooper, Giselle Davies, Laura Gardiner, Montana Ham, Alexia Hamilton, Cynthia Hamilton, Lara Hauseggar, Ella Heads, Kiara Hillier, Sofia Hurley, Sarah Grunden, Tanya Kennedy, Brooke Lochland, Paris McCarthy, Lucy McEvoy, Alice Mitchell, Chloe Molloy, Ally Morphett, Julie O’Sullivan, Bec Privitelli, Ruby Sargent-Wilson, Paige Sheppard, Bella Smith, Lisa Steane, Lauren Szigeti, Brenna Tarrant, Eliza Vale, Aimee Whelan, Alana Woodward

Sydney has added some key position depth in the form of Davies, who can play at either end of the field. Hillier is yet to debut, but is a nice rebound defender, while Grunden could conceivably fill the spot in the 21 of Newman, although she isn’t quite as quick. Hauseggar is a very steady defender, while Cooper is an athletic midfielder. The Swans’ biggest player movement win was convincing star ruck Morphett to turn down a hefty contract offer from the Dogs, staying for four years, along with breakout midfielder Gardiner.

Ally Morphett in action during round six, 2023. Picture: AFL Photos

Ins: Ali Drennan (Gold Coast), Roxy Roux (Fremantle), Annabel Johnson (Geelong), Jess Hosking (delisted free agent, Richmond), Verity Simmons (rookie), Jess Rentsch, Kayley Kavanagh, Georgie Cleaver, Matilda Sergeant (draft)

Outs: Shanae Davison, Eleanor Hartill (Brisbane), Aisling McCarthy (Fremantle), Kate Bartlett, Emma Humphries, Aimee Schmidt, Jess Sedunary, Issy Simmons (retired), Krstel Petrevski, Ella Smith (delisted)

2024 list: Jaide Britton, Abby Bushby, Georgie Cleaver, Ali Drennan, Emily Elkington, Amy Franklin, Kellie Gibson, Evie Gooch, Sasha Goranova, Dana Hooker, Jess Hosking, Annabel Johnson, Kayley Kavanagh, Sarah Lakay, Bella Lewis, Sophie McDonald, Jess Rentsch, Ella Roberts, Roxy Roux, Courtney Rowley, Beth Schilling, Matilda Sergeant, Verity Simmons, Belinda Smith, Emma Swanson, Charlie Thomas, Lauren Wakfer, Zoe Wakfer, Mackenzie Webb, Mikayla Western

It’ll be an entirely different West Coast outfit taking the field in 2024. A third of the list has once again been turned over, and Daisy Pearce will be at the helm as coach. Drennan will fill McCarthy‘s role, and Johnson or Sergeant covering Hartill. Roux can slot into Davison‘s spot. Hosking can play across any line, but considering the number of forwards to have hung up the boots, may be needed in attack alongside Cleaver. Kavanagh is a genuine inside mid, and will be competing with the existing Eagles core for a spot in the 21, while Rentsch can play off half-back if required. West Coast won a stack of signatures from its top ranks, with Roberts, Swanson and Thomas all signing for four years, and Lewis and Rowley (who will be rehabbing a torn ACL) for three.

Wild celebrations, tears as Rebel becomes an Eagle

Tears are shed as Jessica Rentsch is selected by West Coast with pick No.2 in the AFLW Draft

Ins: Lauren Ahrens, Jasmyn Smith (Gold Coast), Zimmie Farquharson, Analea McKee (Brisbane), Ellie Gavalas (North Melbourne), Mua Laloifi (Carlton), Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, Brooke Barwick, Cleo Buttifant, Jorja Borg (draft)

Outs: Kirsty Lamb (Port Adelaide), Katie Lynch (Gold Coast), Celine Moody (Carlton), Gabby Newton (Fremantle), Richelle Cranston, Kirsten McLeod (retired), Daisy Bateman, Millie Brown, Bailey Hunt, Gemma Lagioia (delisted)

2024 list: Lauren Ahrens, Brooke Barwick, Elle Bennetts, Deanna Berry, Ellie Blackburn, Jorja Borg, Eleanor Brown, Cleo Buttifant, Dom Carruthers, Keely Coyne, Alice Edmonds, Zimmie Farquharson, Naomi Ferres, Jess Fitzgerald, Ellie Gavalas, Elisabeth Georgostathis, Maggie Gorham, Issy Grant, Brit Gutknecht, Sarah Hartwig, Mua Laloifi, Bree McFarlane, Analea McKee, Isabelle Pritchard, Aurora Smith, Jasmyn Smith, Elizabeth Snell, Kristie-Lee Weston-Turner, Rylie Wilcox, Heidi Woodley

The Dogs have turned over a third of their list, with four senior players requesting trades out of the club. Ahrens will cover for Lynch, Borg for Moody, Gavalas for Lamb and draftee Weston-Turner for Newton, with raw ex-Lion McKee also an option in attack after the retirement of Cranston. Farquharson will also move into the new-look forward line after McLeod hung up the boots, while Laloifi will slot into defence in place of Hunt. Barwick is an elusive midfielder, a slightly different type to work with Blackburn and Gavalas, while the inexperienced Buttifant provides dash out of defence.

Filed Under: Australian Rules Football

300 Matches and Counting: Celebrating Drea Casillas’ Legendary Footy Journey

November 28, 2023 by Tara S


By: Tara Miller | AGSA

Groundbreaker. History Maker. Legend.

October marked a monumental occasion for the New York Magpies as they celebrated Drea Casillas’ incredible achievement of playing her 300th Aussie Rules footy match. A true pioneer in the sport, Casillas etched her name into the annals of history as a trailblazer, an inspiring athlete, and an absolute legend on the field.

Meet Andrea “Drea” Casillas

Hailing from Albuquerque, NM, and having called Brooklyn, NY home, Drea Casillas stood tall at 5’07” and weighed 135 pounds. Her journey in Aussie Rules football commenced in 2005, marking the genesis of a remarkable career that transcended boundaries and redefined limits.

A Remarkable Journey

Casillas’ dedication to the sport had been unwavering since her inaugural year, blossoming as a player and becoming an integral part of the New York Lady Magpies. Her resilience and commitment saw her don the number 11 jersey, standing firm in the defense position, showcasing remarkable skills and an unwavering passion for the game.

Notably, Casillas had been an invaluable asset to the USA Freedom, representing her country at prestigious events such as the 2011 International Cup, 2010 49th Parallel Cup, and the 2009 Tour Down Under. Her contributions to the national team had been monumental, solidifying her reputation as an exceptional athlete and a symbol of sporting excellence.

Casillas’ love for footy was palpable, evident in her dedication to her team and the sport itself. Her infectious enthusiasm for the game transcended borders, evident in her anticipation for her upcoming journey to Australia, a place where her distinctive accent became a conversation starter.

In the words of Chris Adams, “Casillas loves her footy,” a sentiment echoed by all who had witnessed her grace the field with her remarkable skills and unyielding spirit.

A Legacy in the Making

As Casillas geared up for her 300th match, she stood as a testament to perseverance, dedication, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Her unwavering commitment to Aussie Rules footy had not only shaped her journey but had also inspired countless individuals within the sport and beyond.

Her milestone was not merely a numerical feat but a testament to her enduring love for the game and her enduring impact on the sport’s landscape. Casillas’ legacy as a groundbreaker, history maker, and true legend of Aussie Rules footy was etched in the hearts and minds of all who had had the privilege to witness her remarkable journey.

The New York Magpies, alongside the footy community, saluted Drea Casillas on this momentous occasion and extended heartfelt congratulations on her incredible achievement of 300 games. Here’s to the legacy of a true sporting icon and many more milestones to come!

Filed Under: AOTM, Athlete Spotlight, Australian Football, Australian Rules Football, Women in Sports, Women's Sports Tagged With: drea casillas

After 616 days of doubts, delays, and decisions, Izzy’s long wait finally ends

September 14, 2023 by Tara S

By: Riley Beveridge | AFL

Isabel Huntington will make her return from an ACL injury on Saturday after moving clubs and cities, and rediscovering her love for the game in the process.

THERE is something Isabel Huntington has forgotten.

“I can’t remember my pre-match routine,” she tells AFL.com.au.

“I should have written it down. Actually, I don’t know whether it worked anyway.”

She’ll need to remember it pretty quickly, though. Because, after 616 long and gruelling days filled with emotions ranging from doubt, to excitement, to acceptance, and just about everything in between, Huntington will be back playing in the AFLW this weekend.

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“It’s pretty weird, the thought of playing again,” Huntington says.

“It feels so foreign to you after being out for so long, it’s almost like you’re starting your career from scratch. You don’t know whether you’ll be able to perform as you did before. It just feels weird, you forget so much.”

The Giants told Huntington she would be making her long-awaited comeback during an impromptu team meeting held on Wednesday afternoon, her reward for more than 20 months’ worth of operations, rehabilitation, and conversations around whether she would even return at all.

“There are so many times when you think, do I just give up? Is it actually going to work out? Is it worth it? You get used to the idea of questioning your career at a really young age,” Huntington says.

But when the realisation hit for Huntington that she would finally make her comeback – and that she would be doing so in front of family and friends travelling up to Blacktown this Saturday when Greater Western Sydney hosts Richmond – the answer was yes. Yes, it was all worth it.

It was during an AFLW game on January 8, 2022, when Huntington ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament graft, most commonly referred to as the ‘ACL’, in her right knee. It was the second time that particular knee had failed her, and the third ACL injury Huntington had sustained in fewer than six years of football.

Dogs heartbreak as Huntington gets carried off

Isabel Huntington landed awkwardly and had to be carried off the ground with a suspected knee injury during the 2nd quarter

For the supremely talented and universally respected 24-year-old, a lot has changed in the time that has since elapsed. She’s at a new club, living in a new city, playing under a new coach, working in a new field, surrounded by new teammates and new experiences. She has left Melbourne’s football bubble, in doing so finding a newfound and richly deserved sense of balance in her life.

Leaving the Western Bulldogs, the club that drafted her with the No.1 pick in 2017 and provided the home for her first 20 AFLW games, was a gut-wrenching decision. But it was a necessary one, one that crystalised in the months after her most recent injury.

“She needed the change as a human being, not so much as a footballer,” Huntington’s manager, Alex Saundry, tells AFL.com.au.

Having undergone a third knee reconstruction in the weeks after her most recent injury, Huntington couldn’t turn on a TV, tune into radio station or even go to a local pub without seeing and hearing football everywhere. It was a constant reminder of what would be missing from her life for the next 20 months, as she started another brutally long period of rehabilitation.

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May 4 2022

Get excited: Izzy Huntington set to become a Giant

Former number 1 pick Isabel Huntington makes the move to GWS

Huntington had long been tossing up a move to Sydney, where she had friends, family and a series of career opportunities. This was the perfect chance to finally pull the trigger. The Giants were interested, a trade was agreed, and one of the League’s most high-profile moves was completed.

“For Izzy, it’s always been about a little bit more than football,” Saundry says.

“Her decision, particularly around changing her environment, it was more about moving forward and progressing. The conversation had two elements to it, the personal life and then the need for a bit of a different challenge in terms of her living situation. To their credit, the Dogs were fantastic in their understanding of Izzy needing a bit of a fresh start as an individual.”

And so came the move to Sydney. For Huntington, it was the culmination of months of weighing up the pros and cons, of listening to advice, and of closely considering what she wanted from the next phase of her life. Ultimately, it wasn’t a football decision. After all she had been through, it couldn’t be.

“When you suffer an injury like this, you’re forced to shift your perspective a little bit and realise that footy can’t be everything. It can just get taken away from you in a split second,” Huntington says.

“After I did my third knee, I was certain that I just couldn’t prioritise footy as the biggest and sole thing that I will use as the decision-maker in my life. That was a really big factor in coming up here. It just really drives home how much you need other elements of your life. Footy isn’t and can’t be everything, unfortunately.

“Having it in your ears and on your screens 100 per cent of the time, it really just reinforces that you’re not playing and you’re on the sidelines. It’s genuinely refreshing up here, it’s that reminder that there’s more to life than a game.”

Isabel Huntington is consoled by Brooke Lochland after round one, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

For Huntington, footy has never been everything. She is simply too gifted in too many other facets of her life. She had previously studied a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne, completing an honours thesis building synthetic kidneys through 3D printings of patient scans for surgeons to train on. They’re studies she plans to resume after her comeback this season.

In Sydney, she has also found her purpose away from the field – but not entirely out of football – working as a player engagement manager for Footy for Climate, a non-for-profit organisation that seeks to push sustainable practices within the AFL. Huntington herself plays a crucial role in engaging with men’s and women’s players to further involve themselves in climate action and education.

“She’s such an incredible person,” Saundry says.

“Just seeing the frustration and the emotion she’s gone through in the past couple of years, it’s shattering. She’s got such an incredible ability to be one of the best footballers in the competition. It’s for no lack of trying, effort or talent. It’s actually just how her body has let her down, that’s factual.

“I’m just super proud of her resilience and her ability to make light out of the situation and find ways to keep investing in herself. It’ll be really emotional for me to watch her come back. I couldn’t be prouder of Isabel the footballer, but Isabel the person too.”

‘Isabel the person’ was introduced to her new Giants teammates by way of an all-club bonding activity. The premise, designed by the club’s new AFLW coach Cam Bernasconi, was for everyone to explain the reasons why they loved footy. For Huntington, her presentation was focused on celebrating the success of others regardless of how that success was defined.

Giants captain Alicia Eva, who has known Huntington for more than a decade after first coaching her as a 13-year-old while working in junior girls’ football programs, was moved by the presentation. For the club, it was an instant reflection of the person they had just recruited, not only the footballer.

“You could never question her love of the game,” Eva tells AFL.com.au.

“What we’ve always known about Izzy is that yes, she’s such a talent and she’s got such a strong game and adds so much. But you can tell she’s someone who just loves being in a team environment. Even in years gone by where she hasn’t been playing, she’s offered and contributed so much to that team environment just by being herself.

“For Izzy to get back, that’s success for her. For her to get back and play and enjoy football, a game she’s grown up loving, it’s incredibly important. That’s her ‘why’ and I can’t wait to celebrate that with her. She’s like a little sister to me. I love her very much and I’m really pumped for the weekend.”

Isabel Huntington in action at a GWS training session on August 11, 2022. Picture: AFL Photos

All the while – amid study, work, moves and rehab – footy has bubbled away in the background for Huntington. It might no longer be the most central or defining part of her life, but it remains an important one.

She has found inspirations hard to come by during her recovery. After all, not many elite athletes have suffered three torn ACLs and returned to tell the story. But she was touched by a letter she received from Adelaide’s dual premiership star Marijana Rajcic, one of the few that has, while she has also formed a close bond with young teammate Isadora McLeay as the teenager completes her own recovery from a long-term knee injury.

The timing of Huntington’s most recent injury, combined with a decision to introduce dual AFLW seasons last year, meant she has essentially missed three campaigns. Meanwhile, a minor procedure to fix some cartilage damage in July has also forced a delayed start to the current season. But, after making it through a hastily arranged scrimmage match last week, she’s finally been given the green light. On Saturday, she will be back.

“I feel like it’s just a case of getting back out there,” Huntington says.

“I’ve got no idea if I can perform the way I did in previous seasons. It’ll hopefully come back to me pretty quickly. But I think, for the first few games at least, just getting a game under my belt and getting through will be really cool.

“I remember coming back from my last one, I think I had three disposals in my first three games. I was really just running around in circles like a headless chook, but it was just cool to get back out there.

“With ACLs, there’s the return-to-play and then the return-to-perform timelines. They’re pretty different, so it’s tricky. The competition has changed as well. It’s evolved so much. I’ve got no idea how I’m going to shape up against some of these new girls who have come in and started dominating.”

The Giants don’t have any concerns, though. After all, Huntington is a player who was crowned the AFLW’s Rising Star, named in its All-Australian team, and awarded the Dogs’ best and fairest in what was essentially her first full season in 2020. She had done all of that after being switched into an unnatural defensive role, as well.

Injury-cursed cousins band together

GWS midfielder Will Setterfield and Western Bulldogs forward Isabel Huntington speak to AFL.com.au as they recuperate from knee reconstructions

At her best, whether it’s forward or back, Huntington is genuinely among the best footballers in the AFLW competition. Having been starved of seeing such a talent for so long, her return is one that will undoubtedly be celebrated across the League.

“How exciting is that? That is the coolest thing,” Eva says.

“Still, to this day, when Izzy is at full throttle, she is one of the best players in the competition. That is super exciting. That’s why the club did take this gamble on her, for want of a better term. We recruited her while she was undertaking ACL rehab, but that was because of the person she is and also the footballer we know she can be. She is such a talent.”

For Huntington, though, all she wants is to be back out there. Saturday’s game in Blacktown will be the end of a long and frustrating, yet rewarding part of her football journey. Hopefully, it will also be the start of something special and sustained as well.

“I don’t know if I’ll be nervous or excited or indifferent,” Huntington says.

“I’ve become so acclimatised to not playing footy, it’s almost like I’m a staff member at this stage. It’s almost weird playing, for me, as opposed to being weird watching. I feel like I’m pretty well acclimatised to just watching.

“It’s probably good to reflect on the journey as well and I’m sure I will. It’s taken a lot to get here and I’d like to think it’s all going to be worth it, all of the tough times and all of the emotional ups and downs.

“But for now, it’ll be pretty cool to just be out there. It’s going to be sick.”

Filed Under: Athlete Spotlight, Australian Rules Football

How does an American become an Aussie football star? Pull up a chair.

September 6, 2023 by Tara S

Chuck Culpepper | Washington Post

MELBOURNE, Australia — The story of Mason Cox thrums with a giddy torrent of are-you-kidding-me. It exceeds far-fetched, romps on past farcical and turns up at preposterous.

A 6-foot-11 engineering major who played soccer in high school, who played just 57 minutes across three seasons of basketball as a walk-on at Oklahoma State, who accepted a job at ExxonMobil in Houston around December 2013 and who never heard of Australian rules football until age 23 in 2014, has played 116 games in the roughhouse sport (which short-circuits many a career at single digits), has had 10 surgeries (six on eyes), has earned Australian citizenship and has felt the Australian accent take up happy residence, especially in his vowels.

He has spent offseasons climbing Machu Picchu (Peru), marveling at Patagonia (South America), roaming the Swiss Alps, exploring remote Australia and fly-fishing for brown rainbow trout in New Zealand. And as he starts this exalted month on the Australian sports calendar in the eight-team football “finals” as a mainstay in the position of ruck with the famed and top-seeded Collingwood club, he is famous here while remaining decidedly unfamous where he grew up, 15 time zones away.

“Makes no sense,” he begins one day at lunch in a swell cafe in Richmond, a funky inner suburb of Melbourne.

It makes no sense, but some gawk unmistakably during that dinner at the Melbourne icon Chin Chin, while others gawk intermittently as guileful gawkers, while others don’t gawk at all because it’s a metropolis of 5 million with varied cultural vigor even as it’s bonkers for sports. A waitress quickly states, “I appreciate what you do.”

A fan outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground five nights earlier didn’t gawk per se; he just about jumped out of his skin at the sight of Cox coming around the bend after a comfortable win to close what Americans would call the regular season. (He got a photo.) The man at the dry cleaners doesn’t gawk, but he does revel and chatter upon Cox’s arrival.

It makes no sense, but a friend recently told Cox he has “the perfect setup”: celebrity perks in Australia, anonymity elsewhere. “I don’t think many people play in front of 80,000 people,” Cox says, “and have the ability to fly a few hours and nobody knows who you are.” Trips to America grant a fame “detox,” when he can walk a bonanza of humanity such as Sixth Street in Austin or go to a Dallas Mavericks game with only rare moments of someone walking by and saying, “Oh, my God, what are you doing here?” — that someone invariably being Australian.

Somehow, the same Mason Cox whose devoted parents would drive the seven-hour round trip to Oklahoma State “just to see me hanging out on the bench and watch the ‘Kiss Cam,’ ” wound up in places such as the Paddock Club at Melbourne’s annual Formula One shindig.

“I go there every year,” he says, “and I’m like: ‘I have no right or reason to be here. I’m a broke-ass college basketball player, and I’m just hanging out on the pit lane. Why am I here? How am I here? How does this happen?’ ”

It happens weirdly.

‘We just showed up’

Jeanette and Phillip Cox met at college when both arrived late for chemistry class and the professor assigned them as lab partners, raised three sons who sprouted to 6-6 (Nolan), 6-8 (Austin) and the 6-11 baby Mason, whose six-inch growth the summer before his senior year in high school prompted schoolmates to say, “What the f— did you eat?”

Mason followed Nolan to Oklahoma State and walked around as your everyday 6-11 engineering student. He wound up helping the women’s basketball team practice, which included simulating Baylor’s Brittney Griner. The men’s coaches found him, brought him to practice and handed him some ankle braces, causing a delay because he did not know how to put them on.

He also did not know how to check into a game, so the first time he tried, someone behind the scorer’s table had to tell him to quit obstructing the view and kneel the hell down. He played in three games in 2011-12, eight in 2012-13 and 13 in 2013-14. He took three shots and made two. He took 10 free throws and made three. He “could barely make a layup,” he says, and dreaded pregame left-hand-layup drills. He did go in against Kansas in 2014 and get two stops against Joel Embiid, loosing a ruckus in the crowd and foretelling his fondness for a good, hard scrap.

As Marcus Smart’s Oklahoma State lost, 85-77, to Gonzaga in the NCAA tournament’s round of 64 in San Diego 2014, Cox played a whopping 10 of his 57 total college minutes. Broadcasters marveled at how he had never played organized basketball until 2½ years prior, which caught the attention of Jonathan Givony, the basketball prospects guru with Australian connections. That led to a puzzling call to Cox from Oklahoma State media relations, which led to a free trip to Los Angeles for a combine of a faraway sport.

“We just showed up, did the 3K time trial on a random track with, like, an adult league soccer game going on in the middle of it, and there were, like, grandmas in their rockers, walking on the track,” Cox says. “And we were, like, running a time for a 3K time trial. We’re having to, like, run around other people just going for a casual stroll on a Sunday.”

They tried the vital Australian art of kicking, but then: “Basketball players don’t really have hand-to-foot coordination, so you can imagine how many footballs went left, right, center, hit people in the face, all this other stuff. Like, absolute chaos.”

Two things favored Cox: height and soccer, the latter having decorated his minor years with an abundance of travel, including abroad. Endurance matters deeply in the harshness of Australian rules football; players can run a half-marathon per match. Soon came brother Nolan acting as agent and fielding phone calls from Australian clubs at wee hours. Soon came a why-not free trip to Australia.

“We took those two weeks,” Mason says, “and just walked around like absolute idiots, not knowing what to expect. And found out the game was real, found out people were into it, with massive crowds and massive following and stuff here, and got plastered all over the media and everything else.”

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They did a news conference.

“I was a walk-on in college,” Mason says. “I never did a press conference in my life. I guess people didn’t understand I wasn’t like a big person in sport back in America. This was like some guy who scrubbed the bottom of the barrel.”

It made no sense and led to a momentous brotherly conversation near a boathouse on Port Phillip Bay just beneath Melbourne. Nolan, five years older, advised Mason that his youth allowed ample time for mounting this wild stallion of an adventure. Mason signed with the Magpies of Collingwood, a club whose stature often results in being translated into American as “Dallas Cowboys” or “New York Yankees.”

He lived as a novelty with a give-it-three-years mind-set. He rode the rapids of resentment from those who wondered why an interloper might supplant some Australian who had slept dreaming with a football as a kid (even though Irish interlopers from Gaelic football had done likewise). He learned in the minors this game played on a gigantic oval with many, many players (18 on each side). He aimed for the largest stadium in the Southern Hemisphere, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, surrounded by statues of legends he knew not, such as cricketers Shane Warne and Sir Donald Bradman, or footballers Ron Barassi and Leigh Matthews. He debuted there for Collingwood in 2016 and scored a goal (six points) on his first kick 80 seconds in as the tallest player ever in the AFL and the second American — following Jason Holmes, who played in five games between 2014 and 2017.

He didn’t star, but he didn’t fade, either.

He played the position called ruck, which “doesn’t need as much of a skill set as other players,” he says, which rewards height and which, he says, requires three foremost talents: jumping, wrestling (as for catches called marking) and tapping the ball to teammates. He says, “Essentially your goal is to give it to other people,” and, “I don’t have to be the best kicker, the best handball.”

He loved the banging, “to have this one-on-one battle: Who can push their body further?” He loved that push: “Playing basketball, we did some crazy runs and crazy conditioning, stuff like that, and I thought, like, ‘Oh, man, my body could never go any further than that.’ But then I came to the AFL and I was like, ‘Holy s—, there’s a whole ’nother level to this!’ ” He reckoned the sport a mash of every other sport: “I genuinely do believe it’s the hardest sport in the world.”

Finding home

At a recent Collingwood match, a 101-31 wipeout of Essendon before 74,344 on a Friday night when at least one Essendon fan upturned a table on his way out, four-decade Collingwood fan Dave Skinner of Sydney wore a Cox No. 46 jersey with “USA! USA!” along the back. An air-freight manager for airline Qantas who flies around the vast country watching Collingwood, Skinner started wearing the shirt to support Cox and his story — and to needle a friend who had needled Skinner about supporting Cox.

“He’s taken a chance that really very few are given,” Skinner says, “and it perhaps helps that he was put into the Collingwood system. … And to remain in that AFL [roster], he’s got to work hard and got to prove himself as well. He’s not just there for the novelty to sell merchandise or to get media attention.” He praises Cox’s determination, speaks of his knack for ruck and says, “We can’t really ask more of him than that, and on the days he has the breakout games it’s even better.”

The utmost breakout came at the 2018 “preliminary final” against Richmond, similar to an NFL conference championship game, in which a Collingwood upset thwarted a fourth straight Richmond title. “Cox tore the game away from the Tigers,” Sarah Black wrote for Collingwood, “in a withering three-goal burst to open the second quarter, putting the Pies up by 42 and inviting a chant of ‘USA! USA!’ to envelop the MCG.”

He has had downturns, as when playing time waned in 2021, and he has had comebacks, as with 32 games the past two seasons and a fresh two-year contract extension just cemented.

He also has had surgeries, including one on the eyes that left him bedridden for two weeks in a dark room without seeing and one last March on the spleen. The former helped usher in his distinction as the first AFL player in goggles. The latter involved a half-gallon of blood lost before the surgery, one-third of his spleen lost during and one ear chewed out afterward from a caller in Texas, who stated her objection to learning of her son’s surgeries through media reports.

“It’s just such a brutal game,” Cox says. “Your body’s not meant to be able to take that kind of impact. And knowing that, you go in there knowing you’re going to be under the knife quite a few times.” So: “Everyone’s always got something that’s somewhat injured. No one’s sitting there going, ‘I feel the freshest I’ve ever felt.’ No one ever says that.”

It makes no sense but bears such fruits. He treasures the “skin name” he got from the Juru tribe — “Banbari” — an honor from indigenous Australians who recognized his passion for their cause. He values Australians’ capacity for realness, including calling friends without embarrassment to report blues or depression. He relishes the multinational Thanksgiving he and a dozen or so friends hold each early December, going around the table, telling of their past 365 days and often crying. He adores Australia as a new citizen starting to say “we” instead of “they.”

“Australia’s kind of like a golden nugget that no one really thinks about, you know?” he says. “It’s a beautiful culture. It’s first-world, amazing lifestyle. I think two or three of the cities are, like, in the top 10 most livable cities in the world. … So it’s interesting because people come down here and they’re like: ‘Oh! I get it! I understand why you haven’t left! I wouldn’t, either!’ But then I’m fortunate enough with football to be able to get back for two months a year and go see family and spend my time in the U.S. and have that feeling of home. But the longer I’m here, probably the more I see myself being here a long time.”

After all, nine years after finishing with sports, he walks Melbourne sidewalks on a winter night in late August 2023, pointing out the hotel with the legendary bellhops, chatting briefly with a police officer and using the word “utopia” — a walking, towering demonstration of how life can be at its best when it makes no sense.

Filed Under: Athlete Spotlight, Australian Rules Football

AGSA Goes to Austin for the United States Australian Rules Football National Tournament

October 25, 2021 by Tara S

AGSA goes to austin for the united states australian rules football national tournament

From October 13th to October 17th, the American Gold Sports Alliance leadership team traveled to Austin, Texas to help umpire the United States Australian Football League National Tournament! The Onion Creek Sports Complex was filled with 50 teams and over 2,500 athletes who competed from around the country for a chance at victory. This was their first Nationals since 2019. 

The United States Australian Rules Football League was founded in 1997 and is the sole representative of Australian Football within the United States. The USAFL is a grassroots, amateur sports organization dedicated to the development of and participation in Australian football. The organization is focused on the promotion and awareness of Australian Football and Aussie culture and has created a sense of community among USAFL clubs and club members. Since its inception, the USAFL has grown to include more than 50 teams across 25 states with four men’s divisions and one women’s division with more teams being created every year.  

While AGSA’s Director of Operations, Tara Miller, was just being introduced to the sport during this tournament, AGSA’s President, Sid Caesar, has been a part of the Umpire’s Association for over 15 years. In fact, he is now the treasurer of the United States Australian Football League Umpires Association. The team at AGSA is honored to be a part of this ever-growing sport. 

In order to continue to support this sport, AGSA has embraced the efforts of the United States Australian Football League Foundation. The USAFL Foundation was launched in 2020. The Foundation’s mission is to provide ongoing financial assistance for the development of Australian Football in the United States. The Foundation will act as an annual funding mechanism to the USAFL, a USAFL emergency fund for extreme situations, and to support the growth of Australian Football in the United States. Their goal is to raise over $2.5 Million over the next three years to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the League in 2022, starting with raising pledges, in 2020, for $1M. Each year the Foundation will support development activities, identified by the USAFL Board, that support the USAFL’s mission of growing Australian Football in the USA. 

If you are interested in Australian Rules Football, you can visit their website at www.usafl.com. To donate to the USAFL Foundation, please visit www.agsa.org/donate. 

The American Gold Sports Alliance is a 501(c)(3) Sports Foundation dedicated to identifying, encouraging, and supporting student-athletes to excel at their chosen sport, irrespective of their financial status. We strive to assure that dedicated athletes have the ability to receive the support and opportunities they need to succeed.  

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Filed Under: Australian Rules Football

Tara Miller Tries Australian Rules Football

October 25, 2021 by Tara S

  • Director of Operations Tara Miller traveled to Austin Texas to umpire in the United States Australian Football League National Tournament. 
  • Despite being new to the sport, everyone involved in the tournament was extremely helpful and welcoming. 
  • If you are looking to get into a new sport, or just want to be a part of a great community, definitely look into Australian Rules Football.
[Read more…] about Tara Miller Tries Australian Rules Football

Filed Under: Australian Rules Football, Women in Sports

Retiring Premiership Skipper Gets Fairytale Finish

April 19, 2021 by Tara S

RETIRING Brisbane captain Emma Zielke knew before last week’s preliminary final win over Collingwood that a premiership on Saturday would signal the end of her AFLW career.

The 32-year-old told coach Craig Starcevich she would retire on 41 games if the Lions made it into Saturday’s NAB AFLW Grand Final – but only if they won it.

“I said, ‘If we win, I’m out’,” Zielke said, after their 18-point win over Adelaide.

“It was a fairytale ending. The decision was made for me.”https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/core/bridge3.452.0_debug_en.html#goog_1851872480Play Video

AFLW GF Highlights: Adelaide v Brisbane

06:37APR 17. 2021. 4:10 PM

The Crows and Lions clash in the 2021 NAB AFLW Grand Final

Zielke admitted she didn’t know what she would have done if the Lions had lost their third Grand Final and was glad she wasn’t in a position where she had to find out.

Instead, she gets to leave the game on the greatest high possible; a premiership captain after three attempts.

[Read more…] about Retiring Premiership Skipper Gets Fairytale Finish

Filed Under: Australian Football, Australian Rules Football, Women's Sports

Secure Our Future

December 14, 2020 by Tara S

USAFL Foundation Play On Logo

The USAFL Foundation was launched in 2020. The Foundation’s mission is to provide ongoing financial assistance for the development of Australian Football in the United States.

The Foundation will act as an annual funding mechanism to the USAFL, a USAFL emergency fund for extreme situations, and to support the growth of Australian Football in the United States. Our goal is to raise over $2.5 Million over the next three years to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the League in 2022, starting with raising pledges, in 2020, for $1M.

The league has evolved over the last twenty plus years. Our first decade was “Building the Foundation” of the game. We were young and brash and made it up as we went along. We quickly grew from a handful of founding clubs to over 20. We launched the men’s national team, the Revolution, in 1999. Our second decade was all about “Growing the Sport”. Nationals had become too big for host clubs to manage so the league took on running the Nationals and it has ballooned into the biggest single weekend footy carnival in the world (including Australia). We launched women’s footy which has grown significantly and along with that came the women’s national team, the Freedom.

[Read more…] about Secure Our Future

Filed Under: Australian Rules Football, Donor News, General, USAFLA

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